Review: Tilt To Live HD - Redefining Hectic Yet Again
by Staff Writer
October 7, 2010
Overview
It's time to Tilt To Live on your iPad guiding your arrow to survive for as long as you can from the onslaught of red dots. Most iPad apps are sadly upscaled versions of their iPhone counterparts, but Tilt To Live is looking to be different. We gave you a sneak peek of Tilt To Live HD, and now it's time for the full review.
Features
The game is free giving you the classic mode, and the first four weapons which is the same as the original iPhone version. For a $3.99 in-app purchase you unlock the whole game giving you three additional modes, and all of the nine weapons. There are four modes included all redesigned from the iPhone version giving you classic mode, code red, gauntlet, and frostbite.The Good
Tilt To Live is one of the best iPhone games by being built for the device from the ground up. A simple port with higher resolution graphics would be great for any iPad owner. The fact that it's a whole new game on the iPad is really ground breaking, and developer One Man Left deservers a huge pat on the back.
If you've ever played the iPhone version, as soon as you begin the iPad version you literally will be left jaw dropping. The arrow and red dots are the same size as the iPhone version, but now there is the entire iPad to move across rather than just the iPhone size. This means there are now a whole bunch more dots on screen, and you get an added weapon, and of course a ton more action.
If you've never played the iPhone version, be sure to read our full review of that version, but more on point Tilt To Live HD is made only with the iPad in mind. Despite the size of the bigger device the tilt controls are still silky smooth with such precision to weave in and out of the tinniest gaps. Not only that, but the game has been calibrated so you don't have to tilt your device at as much of an angle as you would on the iPhone version.
The game is non stop action and fun as you try to survive a continuous influx of red dots, and trying to use any weapon you can get to. The game is all about the combo you can achieve which is easier to maintain and boost with the added weapon, and plethora of red dots. What really makes the game great is the AI of the red dots so that they come at you in various patterns, avoid you when you have certain weapons, and even subtly hide behind weapons to get you.
Classic mode is outstanding, but it does get a little bland restarting from the slow beginning every time. Luckily red code mode sends you right into the heart of the action. Gauntlet mode has been redesigned so it's no longer side scrolling, and instead you try to survive in a static screen with red dots moving on and off screen in various formations including shaped as axes and knifes.
Gauntlet mode doesn't allow for any weapons to add to the challenge, and frostbite mode only gives you one. Frostbite mode adds a whole other mechanic as you try to shatter all the frozen dots dropping in before they reach the warm spring below to reanimate, and come after you. This is the kind of game that is so much fun you lose track of time, but enjoy every single minute of it, and then there is AGON with online high scores and a ton of challenging and hilarious achievements.
The game looks great on the iPad as it takes full advantage of the larger screen real estate, and really packs in the details. All the special effects for the weapons have been enhanced, there is even more movement to the backgrounds, and overall the game is just oozing polish. Each game mode has a different soundtrack, and they all fit with the action, and dire situation of the game, as well as the specific mode.
